Review of Carandiru (2003) by Stephen J — 20 Jun 2008
A film based on a book written by a doctor who went to the prison on a volunteer AIDS prevention sceme. The Doctor says himself that he only hears the prisoners side of the story, and even if their view of their lives is a little tainted, you can't help but feel some sort of connection.
Most of the film is a climax to the end of Carandiru, the prison itsel, known as the Carandiru Massacre, after which the prison was disused. What I liked a lot about this film is that is isn't political, nor is it trying to get some kind of moral across.
The doctor never comments on what happened on the day of the massacre. You are presented with real setting, and somewhat real characters. There aren't many films about life in prison, none that are about a prison like this.
And yet, despite the gross over crowding, the AIDS that is spread, and the constant need for survival, the film is never pessimistic, and surprisingly funny. The cast is made up of hundreds of extras, a lot of whom are ex convicts.
The film is set in Carandiru itself, before it was demolished, and I think it must have been very strange to be part of a film taking place in the setting where the events of the film actually a occured.
Anyway, enough said. Amazing film.
This review of Carandiru (2003) was written by Stephen J on 20 Jun 2008.
Carandiru has generally received very positive reviews.
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